Main floor remodel in NE Seattle
Opening up the floor plan was the main goal of this Northeast Seattle renovation. The existing home was laid out with several enclosed compact spaces for the kitchen, living and dining areas. These before photos listed below show the existing kitchen and dining areas. H2D worked with the homeowner to design a new layout for the spaces which allowed for an open floor plan to connect the living spaces and create a connection to the rear yard. Several walls were removed between the entry and kitchen areas. The kitchen was fully redesigned with a new layout, finishes, fixtures and appliances. A dark tone cabinet and light colors quartz countertop were used in the kitchen. The cooktop is situated at the island with a raised bar for seating. A unique range hood is installed flush with the ceiling to reduce obscuring the views from the living spaces or bar into the kitchen and out to the rear yard. A small seating area with built in cabinetry is designed next to the kitchen. Hardwood floors were installed throughout the spaces.
Schematic Design – Bellevue 2nd Story
As part of our early exploratory design process here at H2D Architecture + Design, we evaluate and present to our clients various options for layout, functionality, efficiency, massing, and style. Prior to starting a project, some clients come to H2D with a clear idea of the style for their project, such as Craftsman or modern style, while others prefer to explore various different options in the early design phase. We are currently working on a second story addition on a home in Bellevue and have recently completed the initial schematic designs for the client. As illustrated below, the client was presented with several different options for the styling of their future second story (one modern and one traditional), as well as several floor plan layouts. After developing the various designs, the architect and designer will meet with the clients to share the floor plans and exterior design ideas. From this schematic meeting, the client will provide feedback on their likes and dislikes for the various options and styles. The exciting part of design is the ability to "plug and play" various design styles and elements. We will then take the client feedback from the various schemes to further develop the design into one scheme that will move the project forward towards construction. .
Water Collection Part 2: Storing Water
After you have determined the size, location, and material of your water tank or cistern, ensuring that the tank has these essential components is your highest priority. If built and maintained properly, a water tank or cistern with these parts will be able to provide clean water efficiently and reliably for a long time with a minimized risk of complication or failure. The Important Pieces The Inlet is the pipe that delivers the water from the source(s) to the tank. This must be attached to the tank above the highest possible water level, which is determined by the overflow (explained next). This prevents the water in the tank from flowing back into the inlet and backing things up wherever the water is coming from. If possible, you should install a diversion or shutoff valve close to where the inlet arrives at and empties into the tank so that you can stop the flow when the time comes for cleaning and maintenance or just in case there is an emergency with the tank that must be addressed. The Overflow is another pipe near the top of the tank that drains excess water when the tank gets full, preventing the water from splashing over the edge of the tank or flowing back into the Inlet. The height of the Overflow drain determines the water level, so placement is critical. Depending on the size of the tank, every vertical inch can equate hundreds of gallons of water storage, so you don’t want to aim too low. The Overflow also serves and extremely useful second function. When left in a large tank for a long time, most of the particles and debris that come in with the water will either float to the surface or sink to the bottom, leaving the water in the large middle part (where you pull your water from) nearly perfectly clean. If the mouth of the overflow is oriented horizontally so that it opens towards the tank’s ceiling and a funnel like extension is added to widen the circumference of the opening, then most of the water draining out will be this dirty surface layer, minimizing the loss of clean, usable water. The Outlet is the pipe that will take water from the tank to deliver it to its end use such as irrigation and washing clothes or, if being used for drinking, cleaning, and other uses with high purity requirements, it will travel from the outlet through a proper filtration system before being delivered to its end use. To ensure you have access to as much of your clean stored water as possible, the outlet is usually located near the bottom of the tank. Due to the purifying settling effect mentioned earlier, there will be a layer of sediment that pools at the very bottom of the tank, with much cleaner water above. The Outlet should be installed as low as possible without allowing this sediment to be sucked out with the clean water. This can be as low as 6” above the floor on large (50,000 Gallon) tanks and perhaps lower on smaller cisterns. The Drain is an important component when the time comes to empty the tank for cleaning or maintenance. The Drain is a pipe leading out of the tank, usually with a control valve or cap on the outlet, and can be located on the wall or the floor of your tank depending on what works best for your situation. However, to avoid leaving a reservoir of sediment, it should be installed at the tank floor’s lowest point to ensure the entire volume can be emptied without needing to bucket and sponge dirty water out of the tank by hand. If possible, designing a sump (a spot where the floor dips down below the level of the rest of the floor) into your tank with a drain located at the bottom of the sump can help ensure effective drainage. If the drain line is short and your tank drains directly to the ground around itself, a concrete “tongue” should be installed at the drain’s outlet to direct the water out and away, preventing the water from eroding the earth out from underneath your tank, which could put it at risk of tipping or collapsing. The Access is the way people can enter and exit the tank when checking water levels or performing cleaning and maintenance. This is usually an opening with a lid installed on the tank’s roof above the water level, so that the tank can be accessed when it is full. There are two very important safety measures that must be taken with the Access. The first is to make sure that the access has a lid that can be locked shut to keep out critters and curious children for whom the tank can be a drowning hazard. As an alternative or additional measure for limiting unauthorized access, the ladder to the Access can be designed to be removed and stored elsewhere when not in use. The second important measure is making sure there is a way to get in AND out of the tank. A few ladder rungs or a climbing rope mounted to the interior walls of the tank can make falling in inconvenient rather than dangerous. The Air Vent is the final of the essential components and is responsible for allowing air to escape and enter the tank as the water level rises and falls. It is usually located atop the tank and does not need to be very large, because the rate of air movement will generally be slow. It is important to ensure that the Vent (along with all other components) is built in such a way that prevents sunlight, insects, and small animals from entering the tank. This is important because sunlight and water together will inevitably become a home for life such as algae, which will attract more uninvited guests who will build a food chain in your potential drinking water. Making sure your tank is shaded from direct sun as much as possible will keep water temperature down, preventing algae growth and bringing cooler water to the tap. Critter proofing the tank with screens or valves at every point of access is also important because the tank is for water and water only, rats and squirrels need not apply. While these are the most important components for a tank that can effectively and efficiently store clean water with minimal maintenance, there are many more ways you can improve the tank’s functionality and convenience. Much of the information in this blog post and more can be found in greater detail in Art Ludwig’s book “Water Storage”, one of a series of books that cover the many ways to harvest, store, use, and reuse the water falling or flowing on, in, or near your own home. If you are thinking of adding cisterns to your home’s existing water system or are building a new home and would like to include local water harvesting and storage features in the design, books like these can help you move forward with confidence in your own understanding of what you need to do and how it can best be accomplished, as well as advice from any neighbors or friends who have built similar systems for their own homes. Finally, if you are in doubt or your design requires expertise beyond what you can do alone, engineers and professional designers can help you make sure the system is safe, secure, and legal. Good luck! Written by James Drumwright IV, Architectural Designer at H2D Architecture + Design
Selecting Exterior Paint Colors
Choosing or changing the exterior color of your home can be overwhelming with so many color options available. It’s great to get ideas from magazines, websites, etc. but what looks great in a photo may not work on your own home. There are multiple factors that come into play that will affect how colors change in appearance from house to house. Keep the following tips in consideration when making your decision will help in picking the right color: Consider your surroundings. Sunlight and vegetation vary from region to region and will have an effect on the appearance of paint colors. The warm desert sky works great with bold orange, yellow, and red paint colors but those same colors in the gray skies of the Pacific Northwest with towering evergreens have a different appearance. Consider your region’s sunlight and vegetation and choose colors that reflect the either warm or cool tones of the light. Note that all colors have warm and cool variations; for example reds can have warm undertones with hints of orange/yellow or cool undertones with a blue/purple undertone so if you love red and live in the Northwest you’re not out of luck! Take into account your home’s architectural style. Whether you have a Midcentury Modern, Cape Cod, or Crafstman home a little research on the era will show an array of palettes that are appropriate to the style. Many paint companies have historical collections which can be a great start to choosing your palette! Three color approach. Ideally your exterior scheme will have 3 colors, although there’s no “rule” against having more or less. Your first color will be your field color, the primary color of the house. Second, an accent color which can be found on doors, small areas of siding, etc. Last is the trim color. The trim is a great way to make a bold statement and add contrast to your home. When you’ve selected a field color you love keep an open mind to a variety of trim colors to find the one that suits your style and vision the best! Test your colors! As mentioned earlier, you can’t rely on photos/paint chips to know how a color will look on your unique home. When you’ve narrowed down your colors grab some samples from the paint store and paint a 2’x2’ square in a discreet location of your home. Check the swatches during different times of the day and under different weather conditions to see how the colors look and change. Written by Lisa Kramer, Designer at H2D
Home Design and Remodel Fair
Considering a remodel or construction project? Join us at the Home Design and Remodel Fair at the Phinney Center in Seattle on Sunday, January 31st from 11-4pm. Come by H2D Architecture + Design's booth to discuss your project. We look forward to seeing you there! Enjoy meeting with architects, contractors, material suppliers, and other vendors. Listen in on one of the various presentations throughout the day. This year's theme is Smaller Living, Living Life! Phinney Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 January 31, 2016 11am-4pm For more details visit the website at: http://phinneycenter.org/homefair/
Why Have Lighting In Your Home?
Guest Post by Nathanael Washam, Lighting Designer with Luminous NW I have to warn you that the title is a trick question: the most common answer is technically true, but the real answer is much deeper and more mysterious. The easy answer is that we have lighting in our homes to allow us to see. We use it to be aware of and recognize objects so we can successfully pour a cup of coffee, take a guest's coat, or walk down stairs. WHICH IS GREAT. Without electric lighting in our home, we would essentially be blind from dusk to dawn. Being able to see is a wonderful gift that lighting enables us to use. But being able to see is only 20% of what lighting does in our homes. The other 80% is sending us subliminal messages on how to feel. Every second, your brain is gathering visual information from your surroundings to regulate body temperature, blood pressure, muscle tension, alertness, and a host of other physiological aspects of "wellbeing". Your brain is also connecting the quality of the light around you to memories of similar lighting experiences and how you felt back then. The angle of light, its intensity, its specific color of "white", and what it is falling on and reflecting off of all combine to create the mood and atmosphere of a room. And don't pass this off as "is it pretty or not". Though you may never attribute it to lighting, there are levels of discomfort, irritability, insecurity, and distraction that are caused solely by where and what type of lighting fixtures you have in a space. Through the study of light and it's affect on humans, you can consistently achieve the more-desireable opposites of the above by designing your lighting. I tell my clients that working with me will help them laugh more in the family room, enjoy food better in the dining room, and sleep more soundly in their bedrooms. More and more research is proving me right, but don't just take science's word for it: go into a nice restaurant and imagine trying to get work done in that lighting. Or, go into an office cubicle-land and imagine eating a family dinner that way. Lighting is such a powerful force in our homes, either to our benefit or to our detriment. Which side are YOUR lights on? Nathanael Washam is a lighting designer with Luminous NW. To learn more about his work, you can visit his website at luminousnw.com.
Kirkland Custom Home
H2D Architecture + Design has teamed up with Carlisle Classic Homes to design and build a new custom home in Kirkland along Lake Washington. The new home is designed to be built on the existing foundation of the original home. The home will be a two stories with daylight basement featuring tremendous views of the lake and expansive decks. Other design features will include heated concrete floors throughout, vaulted ceilings, and large walls of windows. The project is currently in the early design phase. The images below are 3-d models of the various kitchen layout scenarios that we are exploring. As the design progresses, we will add to this post with additional images and ideas from our design process.
Living Room 101
The living room is the social gathering space in your home and the design should encourage conversation, create a relaxing atmosphere, and function well for both social occasions and family down-time. Typical living rooms are square or rectangular in shape and vary in size. The following design guidelines apply to all room shapes/sizes to create the perfect living room space! Measure, measure, measure! Write down the dimensions of your room and bring them with you while furniture shopping. If you have your eye on a furniture item you can use string, tape, cardboard, etc. to “mock up” how it will fit and feel in your space. Select furniture that fits the scale of your living room and that work well together. A sectional sofa would overpower a small living room, but is great to break up a large space. Keep the overall scale of your furniture pieces proportionate to one another such as multiple small-scale chairs or a few large items. Similarly scaled pieces create a calming atmosphere. Arrange furniture to promote conversation and invite guests into the space. Furniture pieces should be facing each other as opposed to a media center. Love movie nights? Choose smaller, moveable pieces to allow for re-arranging based on what you’re hosting. To create an inviting space, arrange furniture that allows you to walk directly into the space. It’s best to avoid having the back of a sofa or chair facing the room entry. Built-Ins are a fantastic addition to a living room. They create visual interest and can help keep your space organized. Some great examples of built-ins are a bay window seat or shelving and cabinets around a fireplace. Last, but not least: Lighting! Since our living rooms are used for several purposes it is important to have adjustable lighting levels. An affordable way to add this to an existing space is with dimmable floor/table lamps. If you’re building new, add dimmers to the ceiling lights. Dimmers help to create that great “warm” evening lighting! Try to avoid direct fluorescent light as much as possible. They are cooler in color and can make spaces feel cold and unwelcoming (think big box supermarkets!). LEDs are a great alternative as well as a simple change in lampshades to something with a tan/brown/orange hue to it. This will diffuse the light and give your space the warm glow without sacrificing energy efficiency! Now that your living room is perfectly scaled, arranged, and lit; create a character in your living room that reflects your personality. Use area rugs, pillow, lamps, books/shelves, photographs, and art to bring it to life and make it your own! By Lisa Kramer, Interior and Architectural Designer at H2D Architecture + Design
Insulation Matters
Have you ever wondered what exactly is sandwiched in-between your walls so that the interior of your home stays cozy and is protected from the chilly or hot outdoor temperatures? With current concerns about global warming many people are turning to sustainable solutions in architecture. One approach to decreasing environmental impacts is selecting insulation with lower embodied energy – the sum of all the energy necessary to produce a product and transport it to its desired location. Many people wonder what actions they can take to decrease their carbon footprint. Well, selecting the type of insulation is one way a homeowner can make a significant difference. Conventional insulation including expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene applied with hydrofluorocarbon blowing agents are made from fossil fuels that release green house gases with high global warming potential. Selecting insulation that releases less nasty green house gases during production and installation is better for the environment and the health of the people involved in installation. Materials like cellulose – or plant fiber, mineral wool, denim, hemp fiber, straw bale, and mushroom insulation are sustainable alternatives. Cellulose – or plant fiber, is made of post-consumer recycled paper and offers great sound insulation. It is a fitting option for remodels or additions since installation is quite simple. Mineral wool – is made from melted stone or iron spun into fibers, much of which comes from pre-consumer recycled material. Products can come in the form of rigid sheathing used slab-on-grade construction. Denim – is made of recycled cotton from pre-consumer waste scraps or post-consumer jeans. Straw bale – is just that, straw bales, a product that doesn’t keep you guessing. It is made of renewable material that is easily available. Mushroom – or more specifically mycelium, grows on agricultural crop waste. The fungus does not actually produce fruit, so no mushrooms will be growing in your house. It is a cutting edge solution for low-embodied energy insulation, and is currently still in the research and development phase. Fiberglass – is made of spun glass fibers. It is resistant to moisture and bacteria, and is easy to install. Hemp fiber – is a great natural insulator that is biodegradable. They maintain their structure and are resistant to slumping over time. Written by Carmen Ulrich
Making a great first impression
The entryway sets the tone for your house’s design, mood, and guest experience. This space should reflect your style and personality while creating a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you have a grand foyer or a small apartment nook, these key design elements will help make the most of your entryway. The Front Door The front door can often be overlooked, but it is the first point of contact for your guests. If you are a home-owner choose a bold paint color to create an eye-catching focal point in the exterior and interior. Current color trends: Lime Green, Charcoal Gray, Classic Red. Not a fan of bold colors? Unique door hardware is a great way to make a tangible first impression as guests enter your home. If you rent and aren’t allowed to alter your door, an entry mat with a bold pattern or texture will set your unit apart from all the rest. Clean & Clutter Free! Proper storage in your entry will help you make an organized first impression. A large entry is perfect for built-in storage: closets, cubbies, or even a separate mud-room to keep the dirt out of your home. Small spaces can achieve the same effect using a hall tree, wall-hooks, or a small console to drop your keys/mail as you come and go. Current trends: DIY pallet with hooks, refurbished and bold colored consoles. Décor Choose a focus piece in your entryway and keep the other elements simple and complimentary. Large spaces lend way to choosing a chandelier or pendant as the focal point for a classic design approach. Other options are a grand staircase, furniture, or area rug. Some creative ideas for smaller spaces are shelves with personal framed photos, a ladder to hang coats/purses/scarves on, or even a unique wall mirror (which will help your space seem larger). Current trends include: inspirational quotes (on canvas or wall decals), floor mirrors, and bold wall colors and patterns. Whether you’re designing on a budget or doing a complete overhaul, have fun with your entryway design and choose elements that will help reflect your personality and keep you organized! By: Lisa Kramer, H2D Architecture + Design